Gemayel Criticizes Rivals over Presidential Vacuum

Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel expressed grave concern on Wednesday over the ongoing presidential vacuum, criticizing sides that are dealing “ridiculously” with the crisis.

“We can't simply consider the vacuum a normal matter that we can deal with easily,” Gemayel said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

He blamed the rival parties for the crisis, stressing that the “priority is to elect a new head of state and ending the political indulgence.”

Lebanon has been living in a presidential vacuum since May when the tenure of Michel Suleiman ended. The conflict between the March 8 and March 14 camps has thwarted all efforts to reach a quorum at parliament to hold elections and end the vacuum.

Gemayel stressed the importance of preserving the cabinet, pointing out that his party is keen to activate the work of the government.

“The dispute at the cabinet is caused by other ministers,” the Christian leader said, accusing a minister from Tripoli of blowing up the crisis among the members and not the Kataeb representatives.

Political disputes between the various political factions on the government's mechanism led to the suspension of sessions in light of the vacuum at the top presidential post.

However, Gemayel expressed fear over the presidential crisis, noting that it automatically leads to the paralysis of the parliament and the cabinet.

H.K.

G.K.